Thomas
Jefferson said that a well educated populous was essential to a
functioning democracy. Ben Franklin established the first US lending
library in Philadelphia and the first library supported by tax payers
was in New Hampshire in 1833.
Recent research has shown what
most of us already knew. That a person with a wide knowledge on a
variety of subjects, who is well read, is more creative and makes better
decisions and has demonstrably better brain functions than someone with
only specific knowledge on one subject or a person with more limited
experiences. Obviously, reading improves your brain.
I was fortunate to fall in
love with public libraries at an early age and have been a supporter of
libraries all of my life. I became a regular patron of the Johnson
County Library when I moved here in 1974. More recently the Johnson
County Library has become a client.
Last Saturday, October 14, was
the annual fundraiser for the Johnson County Library Foundation and
Friends of the Library - "The Library Lets Loose."
There was great food supplied
by area restaurants, music, art, and even a poetry stage. My good
friend, Dave Cedillo, was there as a performance artist. My friends
"Betse & Clark" played, as did another great band, "My Brothers and
Sisters."
I posted a number of photos on my gallery site: JimMathisPhotography.com.
Here is the direct link to the "Library Lets Loose" photos.
Please take a look and support your public library. And more importantly, read every thing you can.
